Australian entrepreneur's Daisy Green café group faces London community backlash – BeanScene

Australian café entrepreneur Prue Freeman’s London-based Daisy Green group is facing opposition following its selection as the preferred operator for four cafés across some of the UK capital’s most-loved green spaces.

In December, the City of London Corporation announced Daisy Green had been chosen to progress lease negotiations for cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park, and Queen’s Park. The decision followed a six-month proposal process that assessed 30 bids, with the corporation citing Daisy Green’s commitment to high-quality food, community-focused spaces, and environmental initiatives.

Co-founder Prue Freeman welcomed the announcement at the time, describing the opportunity as a privilege for the independent café group, which operates more than 20 venues across London.

“As users of these open spaces, we are delighted to be selected for these much-loved cafés,” Prue says. “Each site has a unique character and generational roots within its community. We look forward to creating wonderful spaces for all; serving delicious, locally sourced food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.”

However, the decision has sparked backlash from local café operators and community members. A petition opposing the move has gathered more than 17,000 signatures, with critics arguing that the process threatens long-standing independent park cafés that have operated in the spaces for years.

According to the petition, five independent café operators in Queen’s Park, Highgate Wood, and Hampstead Heath were informed on 19 December that they would be required to vacate their sites within weeks, with four of the leases set to be transferred to Daisy Green. Petition organisers claim the move unfairly disadvantages small operators who invested heavily in building their businesses and community relationships.

“We’re now preparing a legal challenge to force a fair, transparent process,” the petition states.

The City of London Corporation has previously said the selection followed a detailed assessment and was designed to secure long-term investment and consistent standards across the sites, while generating income for the charities responsible for managing the open spaces.

“These cafés play an essential role in the life of our green spaces, and we are delighted to be moving forward with an independent operator that will bring energy, creativity, and investment to each site,” says Alderman Gregory Jones KC, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.

“Daisy Green demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value – all central to our role as stewards of these wonderful places.

“Their commitment to enhancing facilities, keeping menus fresh, and celebrating the distinctive character of each café will ensure visitors continue to enjoy warm, welcoming spaces for many years to come.

“I would like to thank all operators – both past and present – for their dedication and service. The standard of bids we received was incredibly high, reflecting how valued these cafés are by the communities they serve.”